The sun's damaging effects are responsible for skin surface damage like wrinkles as well as over 2 million cases of skin cancer every year, according to the American Cancer Society. ACS recommends wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to help protect your skin. Not all sunscreens are made alike, and a wide array of formulations have varying levels of efficacy. Save yourself time and money by choosing the best sunscreen lotions, as reviewed by dermatologists and skin care experts.
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Visibly Even Daily SPF 15 Moisturizer
Beauty expert Paula Begoun ranked Neutrogena's sunscreen as one of the best-performing sunscreens from a drugstore in her review guide "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me." In her review, Begoun notes that the lotion feels lightweight enough for regular use. Its avobenzone-based active sunscreen ingredient effectively filters out the sun's ultraviolet rays, while soy extracts and salicylic acid exfoliate and condition the skin for a potentially softer, smoother appearance.
Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Sunblock Lotion SPF 55
For sun protection during intense workouts, swimming and other strenuous activities, opt for Neutrogena's sweatproof and waterproof Ultimate Sport lotion. Elle magazine put it in its list of 2009's top five best sunscreens, with the reviewers noting they liked its long-lasting protection and that it didn't look greasy after being rubbed on. It comes in both traditional lotion form and as a convenient spray-on product.
Tocca SPF 30 Sunscreen Towelettes
Each individually packed towel is presoaked in sunscreen. All you need to do is open the packet and rub the towelette wherever you want UV protection. InStyle magazine gave the product its 2010 Editors' Pick award, saying it was refreshing and enhanced with skin-conditioning vitamins and moisturizer.
Soléo Organics All-Natural Sunscreen
If you want an all-natural sunscreen, try Soleo's lotion. Elle magazine picked it as one of 2009's top organic skin care products, saying it helps to protect against the sun's damaging effects without chemical UV absorbers, synthetic absorbers and other potentially harmful chemicals. It's also organic and completely biodegradable, which is important for those worried about polluting natural waterways when wearing sunscreen at the beach, lake or river.
References
- The Best Hypoallergenic Sunscreen
- Elle.com: Top 5 Best Sunscreens
- Elle.com: Green Beauty Star
- InStyle.com: Best Beauty Buys
- American Cancer Association: Skin Cancer Facts
- "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me"; Paula Begoun; 2009
Member Comments
caceman July 20
I'd stay away from the Neutrogena line of sunscreens. I've used it myself and found it to be worthless. A friend recently used it during a day on the lake. Even with multiple re-applications, she got burned. So, both of us have to recommend not using Neutrogena's sunscreen.
mikvah July 20
Any professional worth their salt will tell you to use a SPF of 30 or greater. These new SPF's of over 60 are not needed and a waist of money. Barrier type sunscreens are fine but they are a little bit more messy. I do not care which my patients use, as long as, they use something.
mikvah July 20
Any professional worth their salt will tell you to use a SPF of 30 or greater. These new SPF's of over 60 are not needed and a waist of money. Barrier type sunscreens are fine but they are a little bit more messy. I do not care which my patients use, as long as, they use something.
mikvah July 20
Any professional worth their salt will tell you to use a SPF of 30 or greater. These new SPF's of over 60 are not needed and a waist of money. Barrier type sunscreens are fine but they are a little bit more messy. I do not care which my patients use, as long as, they use something.
mikvah July 20
Any professional worth their salt will tell you to use a SPF of 30 or greater. These new SPF's of over 60 are not needed and a waist of money. Barrier type sunscreens are fine but they are a little bit more messy. I do not care which my patients use, as long as, they use something.
Greylady July 20
I was surprised not to see Aveno on your list, though - they are essential for anyone like me whose sunscreen starts at SPF 45...
jennyu74 July 20
Environmental Working Group called out for caution with Neutrogena's sunscreens for misleading SPFs.
blbrownjr July 20
KINeSys is a great spray-on sunscreen. I bought it to use while running in the hot Texas sun. My fair-skinned wife uses it because it WORKS! It's not greasy. It's easy to apply and it doesn't sweat-off.
blbrownjr July 20
KINeSys is a great spray-on sunscreen. I bought it to use while running in the hot Texas sun. My fair-skinned wife uses it because it WORKS! It's not greasy. It's easy to apply and it doesn't sweat-off.
blbrownjr July 20
KINeSys is a great spray-on sunscreen. I bought it to use while running in the hot Texas sun. My fair-skinned wife uses it because it WORKS! It's not greasy. It's easy to apply and it doesn't sweat-off.
slatm July 20
I have been using the Soleo product mentioned in the article this year. L - O - V - E ... love it! Goes on easily and smoothly without making you look like a ghost (as many other natural sunscreens do). And is completely waterproof! For a quick reapps on the road or trail, Kinesys (mentioned by blbrownjr) is simply brill!
arielmoon July 20
+1 on EWG sunscreen ratings. I dont want to put chemicals on my skin before being exposed to the sun!
dsjjfg July 20
I use a Banana Boat Sport, sometimes the liquid in the pump bottle (SPF 30), sometimes the aerosol in a can (SPF 50). Whichever I choose, I can walk around an amusement park all day, sweating constantly, and never burn at all.
Both products cover well without having to "shower" in it.
turbalejo July 21
Stick with EWG site for all top 20 sunscreens and you won't go wrong!
I use Sun stuff [Purple Prarie] for out of water, great stuff at #6 and rated at 1. at a great price for 9.5 oz size
and use for water: Hawaiian Island Creations, not in top ten but caution only at at 5 rating. Borderline but stays on in and out of the water.
turbalejo July 21
Stick with EWG site for all top 20 sunscreens and you won't go wrong!
I use Sun stuff [Purple Prarie] for out of water, great stuff at #6 and rated at 1. at a great price for 9.5 oz size
and use for water: Hawaiian Island Creations, not in top ten but caution only at at 5 rating. Borderline but stays on in and out of the water.
turbalejo July 21
Former Skin Cancer user [in 2006-squamous cell carcinoma]
Tilley Hats now and...
I use Purple Prarie Sun Stuff for out of water. It works great.
EWG rated top ten at #6 and safe rated at 1.
For water, I use Hawaiian Island Creations SPF 30. It stays on in/out of water all day.
EWG safe rated at 5 = Caution as it contains Oxybenzone.
A trade off for water activity but worth it as it really stays on well and will not wash off in water.
turbalejo July 21
oh,
Best price of all top ten, Purple Prairie Sun Stuff spf 30 is $20 for 9.5 oz!
The others were simply outrageous in price per oz.
callmepokey July 21
Neutrogena is an advertiser on Versus' Tour de France coverage, along with Michelob Ultra, Nissan, Radio Shack ...
I seriously doubt there is any sort of impartiality in this review.
skinnie2010 August 9
Would someone please fix these forums so that responses to articles are not posted multiple times (who knows how many copies of this post will appear).